Celebrating Black History Month
Dear Prince Georgians:
Happy Black History Month! Since 1976, we have come together as a nation to celebrate Black History Month during the month of February. Black History Month recognizes the significant achievements and contributions that African Americans have made to our nation and society. This is a time for us to celebrate the rich culture, heritage, and vibrancy of the African American community.
The Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) named this year’s Black History Month theme as “African Americans and the Arts.” This theme explores the impact that African Americans have had in visual and performing arts, literature, fashion, folklore, language, film, music, architecture, culinary and other forms of cultural expression.
Throughout the month, there will be a variety of fun, family-friendly events taking place in the County that will celebrate and commemorate the history and culture of the African American community. We are proud to honor African American heritage in our County this month, and throughout the entire year, and we encourage all Prince Georgians to celebrate with us.
Yours in service,
Angela Alsobrooks
Prince George’s County Executive
Celebrate Black History Month with M-NCPPC
 Honor African American heritage during Black History Month in February with the Department of Parks and Recreation! From performances to history lessons to festivals, there are plenty of exciting events and activities planned throughout Prince George’s County to commemorate Black History Month. Programs for 2024 include:
Black History Month 2024 Exhibition: Taking Center Stage: Black Musicians and Prince George’s County Music Venues from the Chitlin’ Circuit to the Present Saturday, January 27 – Sunday, March 31, 2024
Harmony Hall Arts Center
10701 Livingston Road ∙ Fort Washington, MD 20744
Black History Icons Open House
Wednesday, February 7
6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Beltsville Community Center
3900 Sellman Road ∙ Beltsville, MD 20705
Rhythm Revolution
Saturday, February 10
12:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Largo/Kettering/Perrywood Community Center
431 Watkins Park Drive ∙ Upper Marlboro, MD 20774
2nd Annual Black History Month Youth Talent Showcase: "A Night of Expressions" Friday, February 16
7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Cedar Heights Community Center
1200 Glen Willow Drive ∙ Seat Pleasant, MD 20743
Annual Black History Month Family Day Festival
Saturday, February 17
10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Prince George's Sports and Learning Complex
8001 Sheriff Road ∙ Landover, MD 20785
Chat & Chew: History of Go-Go Series
Saturday, February 24
1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Potomac Landing Community Center
12500 Fort Washington Road ∙ Fort Washington, MD 20744
For a full list of Black History Month offerings and to register for events, visit the Department of Parks and Recreation’s website here.
Beat the Drum for Black Storytelling with Sista’ Martha
The Prince George’s County Memorial Library System (PGCMLS) is hosting Griots' Story Circle’s Sista’ Martha. This special program for elementary aged youth explores Black history by combining stories, songs, and poems about Africa, the Caribbean, and Black America through characters such as Anansi, Alex Haley, and Sojourner Truth. Watch Sista’ Martha’s performance on Saturday, February 10 at 1:00 PM at the Glenarden Branch Library, Thursday, February 22 at 4:30 PM at the Beltsville Branch Library, or Thursday, February 29 at 4:30 PM at Joe’s Movement Emporium in Mount Rainier.
Photo Courtesy of Sista' Martha, the Enoch Pratt Free Library, and PGCMLS
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The Blues: Lyrics of a Life Well-Lived
Join the Prince George’s County Memorial Library System (PGCMLS) for a discussion and musical presentation exploring songwriting, the stories and social issues behind blues songs, and more with Jael “Ya Ya” Patterson and Miles Spicer at the Greenbelt Branch Library on Thursday, February 15 at 4:30 PM. Participants will delve into the rich legacy of Archie Edwards. Learn more about the event on the PGCMLS here.
Photo Courtesy of the Archie Edwards Blues Heritage Foundation and PGCMLS
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Remembering the Black Arts Movement Symposium Series
 The Prince George’s County Memorial Library System (PGCMLS), in partnership with the Prince George’s Arts and Humanities Council’s (PGAHC) Office of the Poet Laureate, is hosting The Remembering the Black Arts Movement Symposium series. Presented by the Hurston/Wright Foundation, this symposium provides an opportunity to explore Black artists, writers, musicians, and other people in the midst of civil rights activism in the 1960s and 1970s through events with panels, readings, and discussions.
The Poetry of Amiri Baraka - Poetry and Panel Discussion
Tuesday, February 6
6:30 PM
Oxon Hill Branch Library
6200 Oxon Hill Road ∙ Oxon Hill, MD 20745
Ntozake Shange - Panel Discussion
Wednesday, February 7
6:30 PM
Bowie Branch Library
15210 Annapolis Road ∙ Bowie, MD 20715
The Power of Poetry: Readings by PG County Residents
Tuesday, February 13
6:30 PM
Largo-Kettering Branch Library
9601 Capital Lane ∙ Largo, MD 20774
The Women of the Black Arts Movement - Panel Discussion
Tuesday, February 20
6:30 PM
New Carrollton Branch Library
7414 Riverdale Road ∙ New Carrollton, MD 20784
The Poetry and Music of Gil Scott-Heron: A Conversation featuring Liberated Muse Arts Group
Wednesday, February 21
6:30 PM
Bowie Branch Library
15210 Annapolis Road ∙ Bowie, MD 20715
Rock Banned Book Club: “The Bluest Eye” by Toni Morrison
 The Prince George’s County Memorial Library System (PGCMLS), in partnership with the Office of Human Rights (OHR) will host a discussion surrounding Toni Morrison’s “The Bluest Eye,” a story about 11-year-old Pecola Breedlove, a Black girl living in Morrison’s hometown of Lorain, Ohio in 1941, who wants to have blue eyes to be more like her blonde, blue-eyed peers. Join PGCMLS and OHR for the discussion on Wednesday, February 14 at 6:30 PM at the Spauldings Branch Library. Learn more on the PGCMLS website here.
The Beauty of African Rhythm: An Introduction to Traditional West African Instruments
 Photo Courtesy of Uasuf Gueye and PGCMLS
See, hear, and learn about Manding instruments from West Africa during a performance, demonstration, and discussion with Uasuf Gueye about history and culture through the region. Join the Prince George’s County Memorial Library System (PGCMLS) on Tuesday, February 6 at 6:00 PM at the South Bowie Branch Library, Wednesday, February 7 at 6:00 PM at the Fairmount Heights Branch Library, or on Tuesday, February 20 at 6:00 PM at the Accokeek Branch Library.
The Legacy of Harriet Tubman: A One-Woman Performance
Photo Courtesy of PGCMLS
Join the Prince George’s County Memorial Library System (PGCMLS) on Saturday, February 10 at 1:00 PM at the Hyattsville Branch Library to take a glimpse into the life of Maryland native and Underground Railroad conductor, Harriet Tubman, in a one-woman show performed by Cortenia Smith. Learn more about the event on the PGCMLS website here.
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